Bikepaths are an integral part of the bicycle transportation network,
and these reports are provided to encourage their use by bicyclists who
might otherwise not venture out in the snow, and to encourage their proper
maintenance (which includes snow plowing) by the responsible agencies
given in bold type below. Paths with significant foot traffic
become unskiable within a day, and remain a mess for everyone if they
are not plowed while the snow is still soft.

Monday's snow was mostly melted off the path when our first thunderblizzard
of the year came along today. It turned to rain during the middle of the
day, but then back to snow. I left home just before it turned to rain.
Brookline and Boston were out plowing during the storm, but the DCR
gets another F, I'm sorry to say. It will be an interesting ride home...

Please send updates and reports on the conditions of other paths in
Massachusetts to Doug Mink
dmink@massbike.org.

Arnold Arboretum1.5 miles of park roads which are mostly closed to automobile traffic
with no intersectionsBoston Parks and Harvard University

This snow covered everything, including the ice along Hemlock Hill which
hasn't melted since the beginning of the week. The snow on the trees
was beautiful, and the cycling was slow enough to appreciate the view.
The roads were plowed and will surely be plowed a few more times before
the evening commute.

Arborway "Bike Lanes"1 mile of wide paved shoulder which is unmarked but usually clear of
parked cars during rush hourDepartment of Conservation and Recreation,
Division of Urban Parks and Recreation

These were clear by Tuesday; it will be a test of the DCR's
crews to see whether they plow to the curb like the MDC used to.

This was mostly bare pavement, even while it was snowing. The path was
plowed and salted by the morning commute.

B.U. Bridge

The approaches were snowpacked and the bridge was tricky.

Charles River BikepathNarrow, shared bike-ped path with few intersectionsDepartment of Conservation and Recreation,
Division of Urban Parks and Recreation

The path wasn't plowed at all this morning. I don't have much hope for
this afternoon, but I will check. I have heard that the DCR got some new
small plows, but they seem not to have the staff to use them.
The path was almost entirely rough ice with packed snow on top, dangerous
for both pedestrians and bicyclists. I bailed to Cambridge streets
after a couple of hunddred yards. Jon Neihof reports similar conditions
upstream to Watertown Square.

This path is usually not plowed.
If you use this path regularly and want the DCR to plow it, let them know at
617-626-1250. They only out their general email on their web site at
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/aboutDCR.htm.

Somerville Community PathWide rail trail from Davis Square to Cedar St.City of Somerville

Not checked, but probably plowed.

Red Line Linear Park PathAlewife MBTA station to Davis Square over Red LineCity of CambridgeCity of Somerville

Not checked yet, but probably plowed here and there.

Cambridge Bike LanesStriped lanes of varying widths on major and connecting streetsCity of Cambridge

Alewife Parkway Bridge SidewalkConnection from Minuteman Bikepath to Fresh Pond and beyondDepartment of Conservation and Recreation,
Division of Urban Parks and Recreation

Not checked yet.

Minuteman "Commuter Bikeway"

Towns of Cambridge, Arlington, Lexington, and Bedford

This path is not plowed ever.
Contact Clear the Trail to help
get the Town of Arlington to plow their section of the trail.

Northampton BikewayEast-west across the City of NorthamptonCity of Northampton

Craig Della Penna, who lives next to the path, reports that
it is the intention of the DPW to make it passable ASAP after a storm.
If the storm is significant, then they plow it repeatedly --sometimes
10-12 times during the course of the storm to ensure its usability.

Norwottuck Rail TrailNorthampton to AmherstDepartment of Conservation and Recreation,
Division of State Parks and Recreation